David Carr discusses it in a NY Times column:
Now that MTV is back on its heels, you will hear arguments that “Skins” merely describes the world that we already live in. There’s something to that. MTV didn’t invent “friends with benefits,” oral sex as the new kiss or stripper chic as a teenage fashion aspiration.
This argument is common among people in the media industry who disavow responsibility for what they show, but I'm not so sure MTV didn't help create these trends. And the network definitely reinforces them ... right?
A lot of news coverage has focused on whether "Skins" amounts to child pornography, but here Ms. Magazine addresses sexism on the show, which has gotten very little attention. What do you think?
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3 comments:
I have seen the show "Skins" a couple times and to be honest, I find it disturbing. It seems as if it is a show that is trying to show rebellion among teenagers for having to strict of parents. They rebel by doing drugs, having sex, breaking the law and many other things. Im not sure where these kids are from, but I find it almost offensive when David Carr said that this is the world we live in today. When I was in High School my group of friends didn't resemble the teenagers in this show the least bit, but then again my high school is from small town Iowa.
I do have to agree that MTV has started some of these trends with the show Jersey Shore, which revovles around guidos and guidettes going out clubbing, getting drunk and hooking up with girls; along with some other shows. These types of shows though are obviously what is appealing to the youth of America considering that is MTV's target audience and seems to be working with the hit of Jersey Shore which is arguably MTV's most popular show in the past decade.
MTV is very popular among youngs teenagers to early twenties and if they believe that the show "Skins" appeals to us then I believe that they have judged wrongly. As I watch the show I feel as though I am as corrupt and messed up in the head as these kids appear to be. Just the way they act and live life so carefree while doing drugs, having sex with strangers, popping pills, trying to hook up your virgin friend up with a girl who is addicted to pills just seems way over the top to me. In my honest opinion, I believe MTV has dropped the ball on this show and if parents knew their kids were watching this show, Im going to guess that they would disapprove.
I have not seen the show, or even heard of it. It sounds like it's just another reality tv show trying to get good ratings. To be honest, I cant blame them. Kids nowadays want to see violence, sex, fighting, drugs and disobedience. Although it may be true that many people are disturbed by this show,it is also true that many people enjoy the show. I hate when people blame things on television shows because 99% of them are completely fake. However, I too find it a little offensive when David states that this is the world we live in today. Neither I, nor any of my friends acted so ridiculous. At the same time, I can understand where David is coming from. Todays kids are much different than those of the past. They are much more violent and disobedient, but it's not fair for him to judge an entire population only on the bad groups.
I think that they aired "Skins" due to the fact that it is such a chaotic story line. It's appealing just as Logan said as Jersey Shore is now on it's third season. MTV is just wanting to make money and get more viewers to watch their station. So why not watch a bunch of out of control teenagers go crazy with drugs and sex rebelling against their parents? Nobody wants to watch a show about good kids that go to school every day and go straight home to study all night. Can you say boring? This show is full of drama and fantasy. I have never seen kids that act this way because I to went to a small high school in Iowa.
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